The happiness of the earth lies on the back of a horse, as the saying goes. And so trips with experiences in the saddle are right on trend. Falstaff TRAVEL presents places where guests on horseback can experience their surroundings particularly intensively.
The classic movie "Ferien auf Immenhof" from the 1950s is perhaps the epitome of a riding vacation for many people. But what was the epitome of kitschy romance back then still means the same to many today; happiness on horseback. And so many hotels around the world are incorporating rides on these elegant animals into their guest experience. Falstaff TRAVEL presents places where you can explore the world on horseback.
Whether for adventure, to connect with nature, for sporting activities or to slow down; in these places, the landscape and culture can be discovered particularly well on horseback - at a walk, trot or gallop...
"At the end of the day, it's the horse that teaches you everything." This is how Seamus Gaffney, horse whisperer at "Finca La Donaira", describes the attitude towards the riding experiences on site. At the heart of the Relais & Châteaux establishment is a respectful relationship between people, animals and nature. The finca is located slightly off the route of the famous white villages of Andalusia, nestled in a 700-hectare estate. Between meadows, holm oak forests and Roman and Arab relics, a landscape of vastness and serenity unfolds - most impressively experienced on the back of the Lusitanos of "La Donaira". The focus of the riding is on natural horsemanship; an approach that creates a positive and trusting relationship between rider and horse. The Lusitanos carry their riders across golden pastures in front of the Serranía de Ronda mountain range.
For guests of "Les Bains Gardians" in the south of France, the route takes you through the Camargue nature reserve, sometimes at a walk, sometimes at a brisk gallop past tall reeds, lagoons, marshes and extensive salt marshes. Wild horses and flamingos are often encountered on rides. The hotel provides the typical white Camargue horses for this purpose; with their small, robust build and strong necks, they were already used as workhorses in Roman times. Harnessed to the carriage, they can also take guests to the nearby picturesque coastal village of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. However, you should plan enough time for the hotel, where the wellness program with massages, yoga and meditation ensures relaxation.
In addition to the largest floating water park in the Indian Ocean and a FIFA-standard soccer pitch, "Siyam World" on the Noonu Atoll has an unusual feature: its own horse ranch. This is home to noble Marwaris with illustrious names such as Noor, Jasmine, Habibi and Kanbulo. They will find spacious stables and extensive paddocks on around 15,000 square meters. For guests, this opens up a special perspective on the island paradise: They can explore the sprawling resort on horseback, showcase the powerful grace of the animals in exclusive photo shoots - or ride towards the sunset in a truly cinematic setting while the sky glows in shades of gold and pink.
If you want to explore the legacy of Zeus, the father of the gods, in a more dynamic way, swap your hiking boots for stirrups at "Amirandes". The resort, which rises like a Minoan water palace with reflecting lagoons on the north coast, allows you to experience the mythological landscape from the saddle in a completely new way. A horse ride takes you deep into the heart of the island: through shimmering silver-green olive groves up into the Cretan mountains to the traditional villages of Piskopiano and Koutouloufari. Here, where it smells of freshly baked bread and wild herbs, riders get to know traditional Crete. The golden sandy beach at the gates of "Amirandes" provides a soft contrast to the dusty mountain paths.
In the heart of the Alentejo wine region, two hours from Lisbon, lies the historic "São Lourenço do Barrocal". Today's luxury hotel was once the epicenter of megalithic culture, as can still be seen from the huge menhirs around the property. The white walls of the former farming village nestle into the landscape as if hardly anything had been changed here for centuries. But behind the façade, you will be spoiled with two farm-to-table restaurants, a modern spa, a huge outdoor pool and a state-of-the-art riding stable. Here guests can ride valuable Lusitano thoroughbreds. These include full moon excursions, sunset rides to the nearby hill town of Monsaraz and excursions with wine tastings in the great outdoors.
At the newly opened "andBeyond Suyian Lodge", situated on the 18,000-hectare plateau of the Suyian Conservation Area, safari is not just about observation, but about real encounters - from the saddle. Far from the usual safari jeep routes, you head out into the wilderness on horseback. The hooves move almost silently on the sandy ground and so riders encounter rare Grevy's zebras, reticulated giraffes or the graceful Laikipia hartebeest antelopes. Accompanied by experienced guides, there are no set routes through the bush. Instead, the route is determined each day anew by the movements of the animals and the instinct and ability of the riders. All equipment is available in the "boot room" - from riding helmets to boots. The lodge, with just 14 suites and private infinity pools, is the perfect place to reflect on the intense nature experience in the bush.
The luxurious "Cap St Georges Hotel" is located on Cyprus' quiet west coast, near Paphos. Horse rides can be booked at reception, which lead along the coast on soft sandy paths. After half an hour, you reach unusual rock formations and deep caves that have formed in the rock over thousands of years. This is particularly atmospheric at dusk, when the sun sends its last warm rays and bathes the rocks in a reddish-golden light. Back at the resort, guests are pampered with rooms and suites, some with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, others with their own infinity pool. There are four restaurants for refreshments - the freshly grilled fish tastes best at the beach restaurant.
